Teens and binge drinking is a pressing public health concern in the United States. A teen’s perceptions of drinking and its associated risks begin at home. However, they are heavily influenced by peers, pop culture, and social media. Unfortunately, alcohol use is frequently glamorized while the harmful effects are downplayed. If you suspect your teen is using alcohol, it is imperative to intervene immediately. An adolescent addiction treatment program can provide the support you and your teen need.
The alcohol rehab center at Vertava Health offers individualized treatment utilizing holistic and evidence-based therapies in a safe, welcoming environment. Through treatment, teens receive education about the effects of alcohol on their social, emotional, and physical development. They learn to identify the root causes of their alcohol abuse and develop the tools and skills to maintain sobriety. Call Vertava Health at 844.470.0410 to learn about our adolescent treatment programs.
Important Information About Young Adults and Binge Drinking
Adolescence has always been a challenging time. In addition to going through tremendous physical, developmental, and hormonal changes, teens face academic and peer pressure daily. They are trying to figure out their identity, develop autonomy, and become more independent from their parents.
For these reasons and more, many teens begin experimenting with alcohol and drugs. This experimentation is often expected. But parents should never turn a blind eye to it. Many teens who start using drugs or alcohol before age 18 will develop an addiction later in life. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among young adults in the United States.
Binge drinking can have serious, long-term consequences. Research shows that teens who binge drink are more likely to develop physical and mental health issues, get into serious accidents, and even drop out of school. Additionally, young adults can suffer from alcohol poisoning and even death.
What Is Binge Drinking?
To understand binge drinking, one must first understand how drinking levels are defined. In the United States, a standard alcoholic drink is a beverage that contains 0.6 fluid ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol, which equates to:
- 12 ounces of beer with approximately 5% alcohol content5 ounces of wine with approximately 12% alcohol content
- Eight ounces of malt liquor with approximately 7% alcohol content
- Five ounces of wine with approximately 12% alcohol content
- 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits with approximately 40% alcohol content
It is important to remember that while the above standard drink amounts are helpful for health guidelines, they do not always reflect serving sizes. Drinking levels are defined differently for men and women, as follows:
- Light drinking – our or fewer drinks per week for men; 3 or fewer for women
- Moderate drinking – Two or fewer drinks per day for men; 1 or fewer for women
- Heavy drinking – Four or more drinks per day or more than 14 drinks per week for men; 3 or more drinks per day or more than 7 drinks per week for women
Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent or higher. For an average adult, this correlates to 5 drinks or more for men and four drinks or more for women within two hours. For underage drinkers, these quantities drop to 4 and 3, respectively. While binge drinking at any age is unhealthy, it is especially harmful during adolescence when most brain growth occurs.
Learn More About Teens and Binge Drinking at Vertava Health
The most effective way to prevent underage drinking is through education and prevention programs. Parents should talk openly with their teens about the risks of this dangerous phenomenon. If your teen is binge drinking, getting help sooner rather than later is critical. Contact Vertava Health at 844.470.0410 to learn how we can help you or your loved one.
